Introduction week and deadlines

There are two Master weeks with mandatory lectures. It’s important for gaining the knowledge to be able to prepare for and plan your studies on a Master’s level. During the Master weeks, you’ll receive guidance on picking courses, find a supervisor, and the overall subject for your thesis.

Before you start your studies

The week before regular classes start there will be a short week of mandatory lectures and different information meetings. The main focus is getting to know the Department and lectures in ethics and research methods.

First semester

In September and October the research groups at the department will have separate orientation meetings where they will talk about their research and present available master projects.

1. December: Deadline for application for study plan agreement with a short description of the planned thesis.

Second semester

In January, before the regular lectures starts, there will be another short week of mandatory classes. This week the main focus will be on how to write a thesis, and there will be lectures ranging from on writing technique to formatting large documents.

1. June: Deadline for handing in the essay.

Project description

The project description is a short descrition of the selected theme for the Master thesis, and should be handed in with the application for recognition of your education plan. It should contain the following:

Temporary topic question

The kind of methodology you are planning for

A progression-plan for your thesis, with indicated milestones

Curriculum relevant for the Master thesis.

Essay

During the second semester, all master students have to write an essay/problem note to be evaluated as a pass/fail by your supervisor.

The supervisor will assist the student in finding a subject for the essay. It could be related to the Master thesis, usually a discussion of the topics of at least two different scientific articles or books, and a personal assessment. The essay should be at least 10 pages, maximum 15 pages. The student can hand in a draft/first version, and get feedback for correction. Deadline for submitting the final version of the essay is by the end of the semester after admission to the Master program, or in the beginning of the semester you start on your thesis.

The administration needs feedback from your supervisor on the pass/fail of the essay, and you need to get a pass on the essay the latest during the second semester of writing the thesis itself. If you’re writing a short thesis, the essay must be completed and passed the semester before you start writing the main thesis.

The essay is intended to support and prepare you to start the master’s thesis.